I’m a teaching assistant..ask me anything!

[Colouroutsidethelines]

20 years experience working in early years in a primary school. Anything you’d like to know?

I work in a large primary school but I think smaller schools and classes are always better for children.

It’s terrifying to think of how things will be in the future. I can’t imagine the majority of the children we see now to be able to function in society as adults in the way we’ve become accustomed to.

So many children can’t hear the word no, or be asked to tidy up the mess they’ve created or to not shout/ hit etc These are all triggers apparently to yet more bad behaviour.

Agreed. It’s a real worry - but I completely agree with your earlier point that only people who actually work in schools genuinely understand the scale of the problem 🙁

Do teachers and TAs ever snap, shout etc at kids? What do you do if this happens? I can't imagine being able to cope with the level of shit you deal with all day long!

What do you think would ever change the negative aspects of parenting? I quite often see friends parent their kids in ways I think are too lazy or permissive, but it's not exactly something you can comment on.

Do you feel annoyed with kids/parents that didn't get you anything at Christmas?

I have two kids with SEN, so not the easiest in the class, but between them they work with 12 different members of staff, and I don't have the time or budget for that many non tat gifts. I was feeling confident about not bothering last term (and to busy to give it much though), but now really nervous about potential awkwardness at the start of term.

Yes some staff do shout at children if they have misbehaved. Usually the “old school” members of staff who have a no nonesense attitude to behaviour. I personally don’t believe in shouting and can only model calm behaviour management.

If someone was repeatedly “snapping” I’d suggest that they were in the wrong profession. It’s not something I’ve witnessed.

The parenting one is hard. The introduction of devices as babysitters has massively changed things and we often see parents glued to their own phones at pick up time. Not a hug or a conversation when their child is dismissed. Breaks my heart every time.

I think a ban on technology for children would help massively. Along with people reducing the amount of ultra processed foods from their diets. Studies have shown that these have an effect on behaviour and development and sadly children in the UK now have a diet of predominantly UPFs. The book Ultra Processed People is a fantastic read by the way on this topic. Tons of research.

Parents need to understand that setting boundaries and following through with consequences is exactly what children need.

No I’m never annoyed about gifts. I don’t drink alcohol or eat chocolate/sweets so most of my gifts have to be regifted anyway. Even though they are very much appreciated.

Sometimes the best gift is a card with your written appreciation and even better, an email sent to the headteacher.

Some parents send in a box of biscuits to be shared amongst staff at our none existent tea break! Worth a thought if you do want to send in something.

I'm a teacher. What do you like doing with the kids that helps them and interests you?

I like sharing stories and promoting a love for books. Cooking and baking with the children. Seeing them express them
selves creatively through art/ music.

Less keen on the enforced table sitting and listening activities. RWI for example. The children hate it and so do we!

Learning through play in early years thank you 🙏

I'm thinking of a career change, and I think I would be good at this. Do I need a qualification first, or can I find a post with 'life experience', perhaps as an LSA in a secondary school? Thanks.

What are the most important things to do at home to help support our children at school ? We are already practicing reading with my son who started in September approx 5-6 times a week, we also read to him every night. Any other things you would recommend ?

A teacher who doesn't change the planning during the course of the lesson you are in, when you have spent hours preparing resources for your 1:1 would be a start!

I love being a TA, but sometimes it's exhausting working with a teacher who doesn't realise how much prep we have to do.

A good TA really is worth their weight in gold! It really is great shame that in this country we do not see the monetary value of this job. It’s appalling and TA’s should be paid more. It’s usually women who have children who do this jobs as it usually works around childcare. Yet another job where women are expected to work for much less than market value.

Anyway, rant over, what I’d like to hear is your perspective on ‘there’s a lot more children with SEN coming through the education system’. With my DC, he is significantly communication delayed, has poor introspection so not yet toilet trained, now referred for an autism assessment but otherwise tolerates and actively enjoys his pre-school environment. His developmental delay I don’t feel has anything to do with mine and DH’s lack of good parenting… and yet it feels as though the blame seems to fall on us. I’m terrified for the judgement we’ll review once he goes into Year R. He will have to go into mainstream as there’s zero alternative provision, and the pre-school are currently wanting to go for an EHCP, but it’s a long process and he’s not 100% guaranteed to get it. I worry that when/if he gets an EHCP that he’ll just be babysat at best. Do you judge children who are verbally limited and still in nappies full time? Do you judge the parents? There’s so much I try to get him to progress but early intervention is not hands on at all. I as his parent have to do all the speech therapy, and I feel out of my depth.

Retired headteacher here. You sound like a diamond! Have you ever considered training as a teacher yourself?

Do you find an 'us and them' mentality in your school between teaching and support staff?

We have it where I work - I think it's partly down to differences in employment contracts and attitudes from SLT. It's getting noticeably worse though.

What makes a good supportive parent?

Most posts ask for a level 3 teaching assistant in my area.

I have noticed a few agency’s advertising for “none qualified” teaching assistants which is worrying. I fear it’s because so many TAs are leaving the profession and they can’t retain the numbers needed.

We always say that personal and social skills are the most important first things to teach the children. Can they get dressed and undressed themselves? Put on their shoes and coats independently? Sit nicely and use cutlery at lunchtime? Be able to share and take turns? Toileting independently?

Along with reading for pleasure, playing games to promote turn taking skills, talk to each other and limit screen times! I’d ban them completely 😂 Work on fine and gross motor activities to support writing skills such as play dough, threading, painting walls with brushes and water etc

Days and trips out. The beach/park/forest etc to develop a love of the outdoors and and a good understanding of the world. Doesn’t have to be anywhere expensive. Savour the simple things.

Thank you for your kind words. If only the government felt the same way!

I in no way judge the children or parents of children with SEN. I would judge the government for not funding or providing the necessary provision to place these children and sadly mainstream schools are not the best environment. Classrooms are too big/ busy and there are simply not enough staff to support the increasing needs of the children in school.

I would feel sad for the child who doesn’t have SEN but useless parents who won’t put boundaries or routines in place, sticks a dummy in their mouth, an iPad in one hand and a chocolate bar in the other at pick up and has made no attempt at toilet training.

Yes! It has significantly improved since a staff restructuring occurred and contracts were all made equal.

Read the information carefully that school send out about upcoming events etc

Get your child to school on time.

Please for the love of god do not send them in poorly/with a high temp so we then all get ill.

Be a supportive parent to your child. They need it.

Back the staff up if there are instances of poor behaviour. Not “my little Jenny would never bite” etc

Let your teachers and TAs know that you value and appreciate them. A card or email sent to the headteacher is lovely 🥰

You couldn’t pay me enough! But thank you. I’m actively looking for a change of profession sadly. Financially I can’t manage anymore with the cost of living increases.

Also a TA, sending you a 👊 in solidarity.

I've had enough, am thinking about an out. 10 years experience, and I can't cope any more. Degradation of behaviour, massive increase in SEN and ever decreasing staff. I'm broken, and honestly could be getting paid more in a role with massively less responsibility.

I don't blame you at all. You're woefully underpaid and will be a great loss but you have to put your own family first. My daughter is an early years teacher and says it's definitely becoming more difficult to manage with so many children not ready for school eg in behaviour, independence, language, toilet training etc. Best wishes to you for the future. 💐